Custom essays on Summary and analysis of “Fences” by August Wilson

In this play Wilson reveals several important themes deserving meticulous attention. The theme of maturity in the light of hurt black manhood runs through the entire play. Both Troy and Bono narrate stories which provide a context to emphasize the generation gap. Troy recalls his father, who was rude and evil and made him left home early enough. However, Troy respected and inherited father’s sense of parental responsibility, because he took care of eleven children. Bono describes a father of other type who never provided his family and was forced to start “searching out The New Land” like many other Afro-Americans. Lyons and Cory were brought up in different ways, but their development into men resembles their fathers’ experience. Heroes come into a conflict because they look differently on the past and have no similar opinions about their future. Grow in maturity for Cory means leaving home in a violent conflict and becoming a provider for himself.
Motif of Death passes through the play with stories Troy tells about his struggle with the Death. In many situations Troy behaves as pragmatic one, but here he is depicted as a dreamer, who fearlessly creates illusions: “Death ain’t nothing but a fastball on the outside corner”. Rose tries to bring her husband back to reality. Though Troy is disappointed that he had no chance to play in the united Major Leagues, he fells almost unconquerable and immortal concerning to life and death issues. He overcame pneumonia, survived under his father abuse, adapted himself under adverse conditions of migration, faced jail and after those ordeals he considers himself as undaunted one: “Ain’t nothing wrong with talking about death. That’s part of life. Everybody gonna die. You gonna die, I’m gonna die. Bono’s gonna die. Hell, we all gonna die” emphasizing his nonchalant attitude toward death. He claims he spoke with the Death and is ready to be on the watch against the Death army.
The play is filled with symbols, which help us to reveal deeper meaning if it. By means of language and deeds all heroes of Wilson’s play comprise the theme of seeds, flowers, plants, which notwithstanding all stressful situations gradually grow, take roots, plant and mature. It is no accidental that Troy’s wife is called Rose.

She is a loving person, taking care of her family and trying to surround it with warmth. In her words to Raynell she emphasizes that everything in life arises step-by-step and seeds need time to germinate: “You just have to give it a chance. It’ll grow.”
Wilson calls his play Fences not because his characters build up a fence. For Rose to have a fence means to be closer to people she values. Bono, however, says that “Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you.” He indicates that Troy fenced off from Rose when he deceived her. The fence is completed only in the end of a play when Troy dies and the family again together. The wholeness of the fence signifies the family’s strength and the strength of a man who once broke the relations but united them after his death.

Works Cited:

1. Wilson, August. Fences. French, 1986